Permutation switch

ABSTRACT

A plurality of tumblers are rotated by means made operable by selective movements of a combination dial to place conductive or dielectric peripheral regions of the tumblers in circuit making or breaking contact with spring contact fingers. The tumblers comprise annular outer portions surrounding inner portions which are independently rotatably mounted on a shaft. Releasable lock levers normally connect the two tumbler portions together for conjoint rotation. A radial actuator arm is secured to the rear end portion of the shaft. The inner portion of the rear tumbler includes a rear abutment positioned to be moved by the arm. Front and/or rear abutments on the inner portions of the remaining tumblers transmit rotary motion of the rear tumbler to the other tumblers. A pin is insertable from the rear of the switch through openings in the outer tumbler portions to both move the lock levers into release positions and lock such out portions together. This permits use of the dial to change the azimuthal position of the peripheral segments relative to the dial indicia, and the combination of the switch.

limited tales Ptent William J. Davidson Primary Examiner-Herman J.l-lohauser Scio, Oreg. Attorney-Graybeal, Cole & Barnard Appl. No.29,528 [22] Filed Apr. 117, 11970 ABSTRMCT: A plurality of tumblers arerotated by means Assignee Electronic Controls Corporation made operableby selective movements of a combination dial Sclo, 01mg. o placeconductive or dielectric peripheral regions of the tumblers in circuitmaking or breaking contact with spring contact fingers. The tumblerscomprise annular outer portions surrounding inner portions which areindependently rotatably 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs. mounted on a shaft.Releasable lock levers normally connect the two tumbler portionstogether for conjoint rotation. A

[72] Inventor [45] Patented Dec. M, 19711 [54] PlEllIl/IIUTATION SWITCHradial actuator arm is secured to the rear end portion of the shaft. Theinner portion of the rear tumbler includes a rear abutment positioned tobe moved by the arm. Front and/or rear ubutmenta on the inner poriionuof the remaining tum More lrunmnlt rottu'y motion of the rum tumble! intho Mlle! a 3nm7 Mad M 0 02 2 h? l l m m m mh "c r n "n m mm L m o m umm U Mn. N. m 5 55 l 11 tumblers. A pin is inuertable from the rear ofthe switch [56] Melerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS through openingsin the outer tumbler portions to both move the lock levers into releasepositions and lock such out por- 200/43 tions together. This permits useof the dial to change the 70/317 azimuthal position of the peripheralsegments relative to the 70/317 dial indicia, and the combination ofthe: switch.

2,984,717 5/1961 Davidson 1,092,874 4/1914 Taylor 2,494,575 1/1950O'Brien........................

PATENIEUnEmmn 3527193 sum 1 or 2 INVENTOR. M11 04/ 7 J MI ADSO/V 1. ,mMMJ PlElltll/IIUTATION SWITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OFTHE PRIOR ART Each of the aforementioned US. Pat. Nos. 2,797,271;2,984,717 and 3,192,331 shows a permutation switch of the general typeto which the present invention relates. In a switch of this type aplurality of disclike tumblers are arranged for free selective rotationabout a support shaft mounted in a case. The tumbler peripheries haveconductor and insulator regions. Contact brushes or fingers are mountedon the inside of a lateral wall of the case and project radiallyinwardly into contact with the peripheries of the tumblers. Acombination dial is secured to one end of the shaft and a radial arm issecured to the opposite end. This radial arm and some rotary motiontransmitting abutments on the tumblers function upon selective movementsof the dial to temporarily couple the tumblers to the shaft, so thatfurther shaft movement causes tumbler movement.

In the permutation switches disclosed by these three patentsmultiposition connections are provided between the shaft and theactuator arm so that the operating combination of the switch can bechanged by a simple change in the azimuthal position of the actuator armrelative to the shaft. Also, U. S. Pat. No. 3,192,331 discloses amultiposition connection between the operating dial and the shaft,permitting further changes in the operating combination. As can bereadily appreciated, in these prior art switches the number ofcombination changes achievable is a limited number, dependent upon thepossible number of different azimuthal position settings of the actuatorarm and/or operating dial relative to the shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present inventionis to provide multiposition connections between the conductive ordielectric region carrying portions of the tumblers and the dialcontrolled tumbler rotating elements, for the purpose of providing analmost infinite number of combination settings.

According to the invention, each tumbler comprises an inner portionwhich is freely rotatable about the support shaft, and an annular outerportion which concentrically surrounds the inner portion. The outerportion carries the make or break regions of the tumblers. A releasablelock means normally connects the two tumbler portions together forconjoint rota tion. When the lock means are released the inner tumblerportions are rotatable relative to the outer tumbler portions.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lock means arearranged so that they can all be simultaneously moved into their releasepositions by an elongated pin inserted from the rear of the switchthrough aligned openings in the outer portions of the tumbler. The pinserves to both release the lock means and to secure together the outerportions of the tumblers. In operation, the dial is turned in accordancewith the existing combination of the switch to place the conductive ordielectric regions of the tumblers in a circuit making or breakingposition relative to the contact brushes or fingets. The pin element isthen inserted through the tumbler outer portions for the purpose ofreleasing the lock means and also holding the outer tumbler portionstogether and the conductive or dielectric segments thereof aligned.Next, the dial is manipulated for the purpose of changing the relativeazimuthal positions of the inner tumbler portions, and the tumblerrotation causing elements thereon, relative to the outer tumblerportions and the conductive or dielectric regions thereon. Thismanipulation also serves to change the relative azimuthal positions ofthe conductive or dielectric regions relative to the indicia on thedial. The pin is then removed, permitting automatic return of the lockmeans to their lock positions. This readies the switch for furtheroperation by use of the new combination.

The present invention also relates to certain specific and particularlyadvantageous constructions of the tumblers, and to other features andarrangements which are exemplified by the embodiments hereinafterdescribed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 11 is a view in axial section,with some parts in side elevation, said view showing the unlocking pinbeing inserted in place to lock together the outer portions of thetumblers and free the inner portions of the tumblers for rotationrelative to the outer portions of the tumblers;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially across line 2-2 ofFIG. 11 with the unlocking pin removed, and showing one tumbler in sideelevation and the locking lever carried by the outer portion of thetumbler in locking engagement with inner portion of the tumbler;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the portion of FIG. 2 in the region ofthe locking latch, with the unlocking pin inserted and the locking leverin an unlocked position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view looking towards the locking leverside of a tumbler;

FIG. 5 is an assembled isometric view looking towards the locking leverside ofthe tumbler;

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view looking towards the opposite sideof the tumbler; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the unlocking pin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention relates toboth normally open and normally closed switches. By way of typical andtherefore nonlimitive example, the invention is illustrated and will bedescribed in connection with a normally open switch.

In FIG. I the switch 10 is shown to comprise a casing having acylindrical lateral wall 12, an integrated front closure wall 14 andmounting flange 116, and a removable rear cover plate 18. Plate 118 isprovided with an upwardly opening recess 20 providing an avenue into thecasing for the electrical wires 22. The rear cover plate 18 may besecured to the casing in the manner illustrated by any of theaforementioned U. S. Pat. Nos. 2,797,271; 2,984,717 and 3,192,331, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated herein by this specificreference.

A tumbler-supporting and operating shaft 24 is journaled, as by ajournal26 which is inside a tube 27 extending rearwardly from the front closurewall 114. Shaft 24 may be knurled at its forward end 28, and of squaresection at its rearward end 30. It is circular in cross section in thearea of the tumblers T, as is shown by FIG. 2. A dialing knob 32 is.removably secured to the forward end portion 28 of the shaft 24 by itsgrip on the knurled surface. Its front face is inscribed with numberedindicia marks (not shown) cooperable with a fixed indicator mark on therim of the mounting flange 16.

Each tumbler T is in the form of a two part circular disc or wheel. Theinner part 36 has an axial opening 38 therein for receiving the shaft23. The annular outer tumbler portion 40 includes a central axialopening 42 for receiving an axial extension of the inner tumbler portion36. Lock mechanisms, hereinafter to be described in detail, normallyconnect the two tumbler portions together for conjoint rotation.

An actuator arm 44 is secured in a fixed position to the rear endportion 30 of the shaft 2%. This arm 441 includes a square opening atits mounted end in which is received the square end portion 30 of theshaft 24. A cotter pin 416 may extend through the shaft end portion 30for the purpose: of holding the arm 44 and the tumblers T on the shaft24. Arm 44 also includes a forwardly directed axial pin or abutment 415.

An axially extending driving pin 50 extends forwardly from each tumblerinner portion 36. A radially extending driving web 52 is provided on therearward side of the radial wall 54 of each inner tumbler portion 36.The driving pin 50 of each tumbler T travels a collision path with theweb 52 of the tumbler immediately forwardly of it. The driving web 52 onthe rear tumbler T is positioned to be in the rotational path of the arm44.

The periphery of each tumbler T is provided with adjoining V-notches 56defining between them transverse ridges or lands of triangular section.Each outer tumbler portion 40 is made from plastic or some otherdielectric material and a region of its periphery is recessed at 58 toreceive a segment 60 of a conductive material.

A generally semiannular mounting member 62 of plastic or some otherdielectric material is fitted within the upper portion of the housing. Aplurality of two prong contact finger members 64 are secured to themounting member 62. As shown by FIG. 1, the forwardmost member 64 andthe rearwardmost member 64 are connected to the electrical wires 22. Theadjacent two fingers 66, 68 of each adjoining pair of members 64 ride onthe serrated or grooved periphery of an associated tumbler T. As will beapparent, when the conductive segments 60 are aligned and in contactwith the fingers of the members 64, a series circuit is completed fromone wire through such fingers and segments 60 to the other wire 22.

In a normally closed switch the dielectric and conductive regions of thetumbler peripheries are reversed and two bus bars are separated by alayer of insulative material secured to the mounting member 62. Acontact finger or tine extends downwardly from each bus bar to ride onthe periphery of each tumbler T. Each wire is connected to a differentone of the bus bars. A series circuit is established from one bus bar tothe other while any single pair of bus bar fingers are in contact withthe conductive region of a tumbler T. The circuit of which the wires andbus bars are of a part stays closed until all fingers of the bus barsare in contact with a dielectric region of a tumbler T.

The contact fingers in the illustrated embodiment or the bus bar fingersin the nonillustrated normally closed switch embodiment, are springmembers and contain sufficient spring energy to normally urge their tipportions relatively tightly against the periphery of the tumblers T.Preferably, the tip portions of the contact fingers are complementaryshaped so as to generally fit within the V-grooves or valleys 56.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that an electricalcircuit through the contact finger elements will remain open as long asany two of the contact fingers riding a tumbler T are in contact with adielectric portion of such tumbler T. In the nonillustrated normallyopen switch the electrical circuit through the bus bars of such switchwill remain closed as long as a single pair of the bus bar fingers arein contact with the conductive region of the tumbler T with which theyare in contact. The making or breaking of the electrical circuit ineither the normally open switch or the normally closed switch can onlybe accomplished by rotating the tumblers T relative to eachother abouttheir supporting shaft 24, by means of the dialing knob 32, and thenonly by an authorized person who has knowledge of the number of turns tothe right or left thereof to bring the various conductive or dielectricminor regions of the tumbler peripheries into contact with the contactfingers.

Initially, the knob 32, and hence shaft 24 and actuator arm 44, will berotated several revolutions, so as to bring the driving pins 52 ofsuccessive tumblers T, beginning with the rear tumbler T, intoengagement with the driving webs 50 of the adjacent tumblersT so thatthe successive tumblers T will in turn be picked up" and rotated alongwith the rear tumbler T. The first stop at the indicator mark willresult in the conductive segment of the front tumbler T being broughtinto engagement with its respective contact fingers, thus initiallyestablishing a current path through these two contact fingers and theforward conductive segment 60 alone.

With the front or first tumbler T now held against rotation (by thecontoured tips of the contact fingers in engagement with the V-notchesin the conductive segment 60), the knob 32 is rotated in the oppositedirection. This causes actuator arm 44 to first disengage itself fromone side of the driving pin 52 of the rear tumbler, and to then rotatearound into engagement with the other side of said pin 52, causingdriving web 50 of the rear or fourth tumbler T to pick up the pin 52 ofthe third tumbler T immediately forwardly thereof, to rotate the same insaid opposite direction. Web 50 of the third tumbler T will pick up thepin 52 of the second tumbler T, to rotate the same until its conductivesegment 60 is engaged by the tips of its respective contact fingers, andheld against further rotation thereby. With the first and secondtumblers T now in the positions just mentioned, the circuit path hasbeen extended to also include the conductive region of the secondtumbler T and the two contact fingers in contact therewith. Additionalrotation of the dial 32 and the actuator arm 44 in the originaldirection of rotation will similarly impart rotation to the thirdtumbler T to position its conductive segment 60 and the associatedcontact fingers in a circuit making position. Further rotation of dial32 and actuator arm 44 in the reverse direction will finally positionthe conductive segment 60 of the rear tumbler T and circuit-makingengagement with its two contact fingers, and thus complete the seriescircuit through the contact fingers and the conductive segments 60.

All of the dialing operations described, to be effective, must be donein accordance with the numerical combinations assigned to the switch inits entirety. According to the present invention the tumblers T areconstructed so that they can be used to quickly and conveniently varythe relative azimuthal positions of the pins and webs 50, 52 relative tothe dial indicia to establish almost an infinite number of differentcombinations. A preferred embodiment of the tumbler construction makingthe large number of combination changes possible will now be described.

As best shown by FIG. 6, the forward side of each outer tumbler portion40 is recessed at 72 to provide a one sided groove or rabbet that islarger in diameter than the central opening 42. The axial extension 74of the inner tumbler portion 36 includes a radial flange or annulet 76which is fittable into the rabbet 72. The extension 74 may be axiallycut or slotted (not shown) at several locations so that it can becompressed for fitting the annulet 76 through the smaller diameteropening 42 in the outer tumbler part 40. When the two tumbler portions36, 40 are assembled, and the annulet 76 is received in the rabbet 72(FIG. 1) the fit between the two tumbler portions 36, 40 is a relativelyloose one, so that the two portions 36, 40 can be rather easily rotated,one relative to the other. When the two tumbler portions 36, 40-areassembled the radial wall 54 of portion 36 is adjacent radial wall 80 ofportion 40 and is wholly located within the rear side recess 82 ofportion 40.

The lock means provided for normally connecting the inner and outertumbler portions 36, 40 together for conjoint rotation includes a locklever 84. As best shown by PK]. 2, lever 84 includes a mounting hub end86. A mounting pin 88 stands laterally outwardly from the hub 86 and ispreferably a molded part thereof. This pin 88 is loosely received in anaxial opening 89 formed in the radial wall 80 of the outer tumblerportion 40. The fit between the opening 89 in wall 80 and the pin 88 isloose enough to permit the lever 84 to pivot easily.

The opposite or free end portion of lever 84 is serrated or otherwisepatterned and the peripheral surface of the inner tumbler portion 36 iscomplementarily patterned at 90. A spring seat 92 is providedcircumferentially around member 40 from the pin 88, radially between a360 flange 94 and an axial projection 96. A midportion 98 of a doublespring member 100 is received within the spring seat 92. Member 100includes two leaf spring arms 102, 104. As best shown by FIGS. 2 and 3,arm 102 rests on an outer portion of lock lever 84 and urges it radiallyinwardly, and its patterned free end region into locking contact withthe patterned periphery of the inner tumbler part 36. The spring arm 104always rests on the patterned periphery 90 of the inner tumbler member36. its function is to retard relative rotation between the two tumblerparts 36. 40, so that such rotation will not occur unless it ispositively caused by a rotation of the inner tumbler portion 36 relativeto the outer portion 40. in this respect it has the same rotationretarding effect as the contact fingers on the tumblers T in theirentirety.

A release-pin-receiving opening we is provided axially through theradial wall portion Ml of each outer tumbler portion W in a region whichis normally at least partially covered by a midportion of the lock lever80. The angle X between the center of opening 106 and the center of theconductive segment 6% is the same for each tumbler T. Thus, when theconductive segments 66 (or the dielectric segments in the normallyclosed form of switch) are aligned with each other, the openings lltlhare also axially aligned with each other and with an opening lltlfl inthe rear cover plate 11%.

According to the present invention, the combination of a given switchllll is simply and quickly changed by a person dialing the existingcombination to place the segments 60 in line and the openings ton inalignment with each other and with the rear cover opening lltllli. Thenan elongated pin llllil is insened successively through first theopening Ebb and then the openings we in the outer tumbler portions W.Since entrance into the openings we is partially blocked by the locklevers h d, the pin lllltl must first move the lock levers ti l out ofthe way. To facilitate this action a sloping cam surface 112 (FIG. 2) isprovided on each lock lever 34 in a position to be contacted by therounded and somewhat pointed end of the pin llltl. The force of the pinlltl on the inclined cam surface 112 causes an outward swinging movementof the lock lever 84 against the resistance of the spring 32. When pinllllt) is situated within the opening 106 (FIGS. l and 3) it serves tohold the patterned end portion 89 of lock lever EM; radially outwardlyfrom a position of engagement with the patterned periphery 90 of theinner tumbler portion 36. When the pin 11110 is inserted through all ofthe openings 108 it also serves to lock together the outer tumblerportions Ml and hold them in a constant position with respect to thecontact fingers. The operator then manipulates the dial 32 to reset thecombination. Rotation of the dial 32 and the shaft 24 causes rotationalmovement of the tumbler inner portions 36 via the arm 44, its pin 45,the pins 50 and the webs 52.

Once a new combination is established the pin lllt) is removed,resulting in a return of the levers 84 to locking positions. Thereafterthe switch is operable by the new combination. Obviously, manymodifications and variations of the present invention are possible inlight of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practicedotherwise than as specifically described.

lclaim:

l. in a permutation switch tumbler of a type having an inner portionrotatable about a central support, an annular outer portion surroundingsaid inner portion, said outer portion having conductive and dielectricregions, and a releasable lock member carried by one of said portions,said lock member being movable between a lock position wherein it makeslocking engagement with the other portion and the two portions arelocked together for conjoint rotation, and a release position wherein itis free of engagement with said other portion and the two tumblerportions are rotatable relative to each other the improvementcomprising:

said lock member comprising an oblique side located cam surface orientedsuch that a generally axial inward force against said surface will causea generally radial movement of the locking member into its releaseposition.

2. The permutation switch tumbler improvement of claim 1, wherein saidreleasable lock member comprises a lever pivotally mounting on a sideofsaid outer portion.

3. The permutation switch'tumbler improvement of claim 2, wherein saidouter tumbler portion includes a side located, axially extending,mounting opening, said lever includes a mounting pin loosely fittableinto said mounting opening.

4-. The permutation switch tumbler improvement of claim 2, wherein saidinner portion has a patterned periphery, said lever has a patterned freeend portion directed towards said periphery, and said releasable lockmeans also includes spring means on said outer portion normally urgingsaid lever towards the inner portion and the patterned free end portionof said lever against the patterned periphery of said inner portion.

5. The permutation switch tumbler improvement of claim 4, furtherincluding second spring means anchored on said outer portion andexerting a drag force on said inner portion when the two portions arenot locked together.

6. The permutation switch tumbler improvement of claim 4, comprising aspring member having two opposite free end portions, each of which is aleaf spring and a one of the two said spring means, and means mounting amidportion of said spring member on the outer portion of the tumbler.

7. The permutation switch tumbler improvement of claim ll, wherein saidouter tumbler portion includes a circular central axial opening of afirst diameter and: a circular rabbet of a second larger diametercommunicating radially with said opening, and said inner tumbler portionincludes a center part insertable axially into said opening, which partsincludes a radially outwardly projecting annulet t'rttable into saidrabbet for holding the two tumbler portions together.

8. In a permutation switch having a plurality of coaxial, independentlyrotatable, generally cylindrical tumblers, each of which has an innerportion and an annular outer portion surrounding said inner portion,said outer portion having conductive and dielectric peripheral regions,and means for adjustably adfixing each of said outer portions in angularposi tion relative to said inner portions conductor elements resting onthe periphery of said outer tumbler portion a dial with angular positionindicia, and means operable upon selective rotation of said dial forrotating said tumblers, by forces on said tumbler inner portions, intopositions wherein the conductive regions of said outer tumbler portionsare in circuit making contact with the conductor elements or thedielectric regions of said outer tumbler portions are in circuitbreaking contact with the conductor elements, and for rotating andrepositioning the tumbler inner portions independently of the outertumbler portions the improvement comprising;

said means for adjustably adfixing each outer portion in angularposition relative to the related inner portion including a releasablelock member carried by one of said portions, said lock member beingmovable between a lock position wherein it makes locking engagement withthe other portion and the two portions are locked together for conjointrotation, and a release position wherein it is free of engagement withsaid other portion and the two tumbler portions are rotatable relativeto each other, said member including an oblique side located cam surfaceoriented such that a generally axial inward force against said surfacewill cause a generally radial movement of the locking member into itsrelease position.

9. The permutation switch improvement of claim 8, wherein the lockmembers of all tumblers are aligned when the conductive and dielectricregions of the tumblers are aligned and at least those tumblers havinganother tumbler behind it including an axially extending opening whichis aligned with all other such openings when the conductive anddielectric regions are aligned, said openings being positioned toreceive a pin therein when the lock members are moved into their releasepositions, whereby a single pin can be serially forced against the camportions of the lock members, for exerting the axial forces thereonwhich move them into their release positions.

10. The permutation switch improvement of claim 8, wherein said innerportion has a patterned periphery, said lock member has a patternedinnner portion directed towards said periphery, and said releasable lockmeans also includes spring means on said outer portion normally urgingsaid member towards the inner portion and the patterned free end portionprising aspring member having two opposite free end portions, each ofwhich is a leaf spring and each is one of the two said spring means, andmeans mounting a midportion of said spring member on the outer portionof the tumbler.

1. In a permutation switch tumbler of a type having an inner portionrotatable about a central support, an annular outer portion surroundingsaid inner portion, said outer portion having conductive and dielectricregions, and a releasable lock member carried by one of said portions,said lock member being movable between a lock position wherein it makeslocking engagement with the other portion and the two portions arelocked together for conjoint rotation, and a release position wherein itis free of engagement with said other portion and the two tumblerportions are rotatable relative to each other the improvementcomprising: said lock member comprising an oblique side located camsurface oriented such that a generally axial inward force against saidsurface will cause a generally radial movement of the locking memberinto its release position.
 2. The permutation switch tumbler improvementof claim 1, wherein said releasable lock member comprises a leverpivotally mounting on a side of said outer portion.
 3. The permutationswitch tumbler improvement of claim 2, wherein said outer tumblerportion includes a side located, axially extending, mounting opening,said lever includes a mounting pin loosely fittable into said mountingopening.
 4. The permutation switch tumbler improvement of claim 2,wherein said inner portion has a patterned periphery, said lever has apatterned free end portion directed towards said periphery, and saidreleasable lock means also includes spring means on said outer portionnormally urging said lever towards the inner portion and the patternedfree end portion of said lever against the patterned periphery of saidinner portion.
 5. The permutation switch tumbler improvement of claim 4,further including second spring means anchored on said outer portion andexerting a drag force on said inner portion when the two portions arenot locked together.
 6. The permutation switch tumbler improvement ofclaim 4, comprising a spring member having two opposite free endportions, each of which is a leaf spring and a one of the two saidspring means, and means mounting a midportion of said spring member onthe outer portion of the tumbler.
 7. The permutation switch tumblerimprovement of claim 1, wherein said outer tumbler portion includes acircular central axial opening of a first diameter and a circular rabbetof a second larger diameter communicating radially with said opening,and said inner tumbler portion includes a center part insertable axiallyinto said opening, which parts includes a radially outwardly projectingannulet fittable into said rabbet for holding the two tumbleR portionstogether.
 8. In a permutation switch having a plurality of coaxial,independently rotatable, generally cylindrical tumblers, each of whichhas an inner portion and an annular outer portion surrounding said innerportion, said outer portion having conductive and dielectric peripheralregions, and means for adjustably adfixing each of said outer portionsin angular position relative to said inner portions, conductor elementsresting on the periphery of said outer tumbler portion, a dial withangular position indicia, and means operable upon selective rotation ofsaid dial for rotating said tumblers, by forces on said tumbler innerportions, into positions wherein the conductive regions of said outertumbler portions are in circuit making contact with the conductorelements or the dielectric regions of said outer tumbler portions are incircuit breaking contact with the conductor elements, and for rotatingand repositioning the tumbler inner portions independently of the outertumbler portions the improvement comprising: said means for adjustablyadfixing each outer portion in angular position relative to the relatedinner portion including a releasable lock member carried by one of saidportions, said lock member being movable between a lock position whereinit makes locking engagement with the other portion and the two portionsare locked together for conjoint rotation, and a release positionwherein it is free of engagement with said other portion and the twotumbler portions are rotatable relative to each other, said memberincluding an oblique side located cam surface oriented such that agenerally axial inward force against said surface will cause a generallyradial movement of the locking member into its release position.
 9. Thepermutation switch improvement of claim 8, wherein the lock members ofall tumblers are aligned when the conductive and dielectric regions ofthe tumblers are aligned and at least those tumblers having anothertumbler behind it including an axially extending opening which isaligned with all other such openings when the conductive and dielectricregions are aligned, said openings being positioned to receive a pintherein when the lock members are moved into their release positions,whereby a single pin can be serially forced against the cam portions ofthe lock members, for exerting the axial forces thereon which move theminto their release positions.
 10. The permutation switch improvement ofclaim 8, wherein said inner portion has a patterned periphery, said lockmember has a patterned inner portion directed towards said periphery,and said releasable lock means also includes spring means on said outerportion normally urging said member towards the inner portion and thepatterned free end portion of said lever against the patterned peripheryof said inner portion, and a second spring means anchored on said outerportion and exerting a drag force on said inner portion when the twoportions are not locked together.
 11. The permutation switch improvementof claim 10, comprising a spring member having two opposite free endportions, each of which is a leaf spring and each is one of the two saidspring means, and means mounting a midportion of said spring member onthe outer portion of the tumbler.